Wine Exchange (Orange, CA)
Tasted Saturday, March 29, 2008 by tcfishler with 705 views
An interesting tasting, which gave me a sneak preview on quite a few wines I had purchased but not tasted previously. The lineup was quite solid overall, although the deficiencies of the 2006 vintage were quite apparent when compared to examples from the prior vintage. That said, the Laporte Sancerre and entry-level Baudry provided proof that very good wine could be made, and I suspect I would have enjoyed the Pichot more had the pour been more generous. Neither the Amirault or Hureau wines were suprrising in their strength, but what was quite a revelation was the obvious greatness of Baudry's Croix Boissee, especially when compared to his Les Grezeaux bottling. The primary youthfulness that all these reds showed is consistent with the idea of 2005 as a highly structured, ageworthy year for these wines, as it was in France's other major red wine-producing regions. Another surprise was the Vouvray from Vincent Careme, a producer whose wines I have neither seen nor heard of elsewhere.
2006 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie Vieilles Vignes Clos des Briords 88 Points
France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie
At this tasting, this seemed lower-toned and earthier, without the fruit or sea shell classicism shown by my own bottle. That said, again this performed in the mouth with admirable crispness and excellent length.
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2006 Alliance Loire Saumur Blanc Les Epinats 81 Points
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur
Fun if superficially fruit-forward nose given a small dose of nuance by a note of hay. Unfortunately the palate is totally undernourished, with teeny tiny amounts of body, flavor, and length.
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2006 Domaine des Corbillières Sauvignon Touraine 85 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine
Classic SB notes sweetened by flowers and nuanced by smoke. Then quite full but also quite short.
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2006 Henri Bourgeois Cheverny La Chantereine 83 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Cheverny
Soapy-sweaty perfume. Sneaky-bright, but there's a slightly off flavor at the end that is bothersome.
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2006 Patrick Coulbois Pouilly-Fumé "Les Cocques" 85 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé
Easygoing nose, but serious flavors and seemingly very good structure until it pulls a vanishing act when it should be finishing.
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2006 Domaine Laporte Sancerre Domaine du Rochoy 89 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
Lovely appealing florality, expressive but not aggressive, with slightly grapy fruit. Big, with the fruit underpinned by a subtle nutty leesiness.
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2006 Thomas-Labaille Sancerre Chavignol Les Monts Damnés 83 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
Cat piss everywhere, although extensive swirling tones this down a little, thankfully. Flavors framed by bitterness, with good length.
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2005 Vincent Carême Vouvray Le Peu Morier 91 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Oodles of rocks and bright citricity in the form of candied lime peel on the nose. Spicy and powerful but not really large scaled. Fakes you out with sweetness to start and then finishes genuinely dry. The tension is just great here.
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2006 Domaine Pichot Vouvray Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Pour was too small to evaluate, but I did note that the aromas were decidedly earthy.
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